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BURLINGTON, N.C. — Top-seeded N.C. Wesleyan College battled back from a six-run hole to edge third-seeded Christopher Newport University 7-6 in the USA South Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Burlington Athletic Stadium.
Christopher Newport (21-9-1) cruised to a 6-0 lead after hitting three two-run homers through the first five innings. It was smooth sailing for the Captains through that point, but they hit rough waters in the sixth inning. N.C. Wesleyan (22-16) rattled off four runs, including two on Luke Williford’s double to center field, to cut the Captains’ lead to 6-4.
Williford struck again in the eighth inning, blasting a leadoff home run down the left-field line. The Battling Bishops tied the game with two outs on a Zach Alexander single to center. Alexander, who advanced to second on an error, put N.C. Wesleyan in front 7-6 when he scored on Justin Rahm’s double to right-center.
The Bishops shut Christopher Newport down in the eighth and ninth innings to advance to Friday’s late game against Ferrum College (7 p.m. start). The winner of that game will advance to face Shenandoah in the USA South championship.
